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How Does Your Cup Horse Rate?

Persian Punch

No1
57.5kg.
Ch g 9 yrs
Barrier 11
Jockey - Rod Quinn
Trainer - David Elsworth
42 starts, 14-5-8
Last five starts - 32114
Prizemoney $1,553,229
Average Prizemoney $36,981
Handles all track conditions
Melbourne Cup distance - 13 sts. 5-0-3

He finished third in the Cup to Jezebeel in 1998 with 56.5kg.  Has an outstanding record at the Cup distance with  five wins and three thirds. For a horse who races on the speed or leads he is ideally drawn.

Persian Punch hasn't raced since September 15. However on August 2, after a similar break from June 21, he comfortably won the Group 2 Weight for Age Goodwood Cup in England over 3219 metres.  

No nine year old has ever won the Cup. Persian Punch rates highly and is certainly a chance to be the first nine year old winner.

Sky Heights

No2
56.5kg.
Br g 6 yrs
Barrier 21
Jockey - Damien Oliver
Trainer - Colin Alderson
35 starts, 10-7-2
Last five starts - 90562
Prizemoney $3,884,890
Average Prizemoney $110,999
Handles all track conditions - even better on rain affected tracks
Melbourne Cup distance - 1 st. 0-0-0

In 1999 he won the Caulfield Cup and was the $4.60 Melbourne Cup favourite but suffered major interference in the race.

This campaign he has had five runs and is at peak fitness for the Cup. On September 23 he ran a huge race behind Northerly at Caulfield. Last start he hit the line hard for a strong second in the Caulfield Cup. Must be a huge chance, though the wide barrier is a drawback. Jockey is a big plus.

Universal Prince

No3
55.5kg.
B h 4 yrs
Barrier 6
Jockey - Justin Sheehan
Trainer - Bede Murray
22 starts, 6-6-1
Last five starts - 32260
Prizemoney $2,278,545
Average Prizemoney $103,570
Wet track a disadvantage
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 st. 0-0-0

The ruling Melbourne Cup favourite for months, his last two starts have been shockers.

On Saturday in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington he had absolutely no pace and trailed the second last horse by six lengths and was 20 lengths off the lead.

Now under an injury cloud, it probably won't matter whether or not he starts in the Cup. On his most recent lead up form there are many better credentialled runners.

Caitano

No4
55kg.
B h 8 yrs
Barrier 8
Jockey - Johnny Murtagh
Trainer - Andreas Schutz
36 starts, 7-6-4
Last five starts - 754s7
Prizemoney $3,531,070
Average Prizemoney $98,085
Handles all track conditions except Heavy - beaten 28 lengths
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 st. 0-0-0

Caitano comes here with solid, but certainly not outstanding overseas form.

In March last year he ran second, beaten three lengths by Fantastic Light, in the 2400 metres Dubai Classic. He also finished third in the Hong Kong Vase over 2400 metres in December last year.

Since the Hong Kong Vase he has had seven races and been beaten between four lengths and 13 lengths. He did nothing to get excited about in the Cox Plate and is also a big query at the distance.

Give The Slip

No5
55kg.
B h 5 yrs
Barrier 15
Jockey - Richard Hills
Trainer - Saeed Bin Suroor
14 starts, 4-1-2
Last five starts - s4504
Prizemoney $735,644
Average Prizemoney $52,546
Never raced on Slow or Heavy tracks
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 st. 0-0-0

He won the longest race he has contested, a 2792 metres handicap, at York, England in August last year.

His last race was the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on September 8 over 2012 metres. In the seven horse field he started at 50/1, had a comfortable ride on the pace, and weakened right out of it, being beaten by 10 lengths.

Not inspiring form, though he will appreciate the weight relief from 59kg.

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